Ash cloud returns, flight disruptions caused

May 17- Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways announced on Sunday that their services to the UK are once again facing disruptions as the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud returned to affect UK airspace.

At the moment, the Manchester Airport to which Emirates flies twice a day is closed while Newcastle and Glasgow airports will be closed from 9pm UAE time. Passengers travelling to Europe are being asked to check their flight status on the website.
“Emirates is continuing to liaise with air traffic control (ATC) authorities across the UK and Europe to monitor the movement of the ash cloud. It is possible additional flights may be affected in the coming days," a spokesperson for the carrier said on Sunday.

Similarly, many Etihad flights to Manchester and Dublin have been cancelled. "If you are flying to or from Manchester or Dublin, you must contact Etihad before arriving at the airport," said the airline’s website.

The no-fly zone was extended by UK authorities to Manchester and Liverpool airports as the ash cloud returned. However, London airports remained open.
Thousands of flights across Europe have been cancelled in the past month since the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano on concern the resulting cloud of ash might damage aircraft engines and endanger passenger safety.